In some parts of the world, the whales and the humans aren’t around at the same time. Thankfully for you, the Cabo San Lucas whale watching season is also high season for us humans. The best time to see whales in the Los Cabos region and Baja Sur in general is January through April, just when the northerners are coming down to escape the cold and warm up. It makes sense that we warm-blooded creatures follow the same route.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is known for its whale watching, and is one of the best places in the world to see these giant sea creatures. The whale watching season offers visitors the opportunity to witness the migration of whales from the colder waters of Alaska down to the warmer climates of Mexico in winter.
During this time, visitors can take boat tours or join in on kayaking and stand-up paddleboard excursions for the potential to get an up-close look at these amazing creatures. Whale-watching tours are offered from several ports in the region, including Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, Todos Santos, and La Paz, all reached from the international airport.
When is Cabo San Lucas Whale Watching Season?
Whale watching season runs from December to April, but the best chances of seeing plenty of whales is between January and March. I once went out in December on the very first day of the season. The guide told us not to expect much, then a few minutes later a giant humpback whale came shooting out of the water and created a huge splash 100 meters away.
Only one of us had a camera ready since it was such a surprise. The best I could do was get a tail shot later:
On that same trip I played golf at Quivira and saw a couple of whales in the distance while walking to the green to make my putt. Then another trip when I stayed at the JW Marriott Los Cabos, we saw whales off the shore regularly from our room and while sitting at the pool.
If you visit any part of Los Cabos in January and February, you’ll probably have a similar experience. You can be staying at one of the hotels in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, or anywhere along the corridor and chances are quite good that you’ll see multiple whales swimming by. Bring some binoculars or ask to borrow some at your hotel. Some of the most luxurious resorts, like Las Ventanas al Paraiso, have a pair in each room—or even a telescope if you’re in the right suite.
If you want to go out on a tour, the waters are known to be calmer in the mornings, but afternoons and evenings can tend to have more activity because of the tides. One unique experience is to get out on the water in the early morning hours prior to sunrise, when you’ll have calm waters and dramatic lighting when you see whales breaking the surface or breaching.
See our detailed Los Cabos luxury hotel reviews.
What Kind of Whales Are in Cabo San Lucas?
During the prime Cabo San Lucas whale watching season, visitors can expect to see migrating whales in the waters surrounding the area. The Los Cabos region is most known for its humpback whales, which are the most commonly seen in the area. Other species of whales, such as blue whales, gray whales, and sperm whales, can sometimes be spotted as well, although they can be more difficult to spot as they tend to stay further out to sea or will nurture their young in protected bays further north.
Cabo San Lucas is a favorite destination for humpback whales, as they migrate around the bottom of the Baja Peninsula and through the Sea of Cortez during winter months. The Sea of Cortez is a breeding ground for many sea mammals, including the humpback whale.
During the later months of the season, gray whales can sometimes be seen in the waters near the Los Cabos area. This species tends to stay close to the shore, making sightings easier.
Where Do the Whales Come From?
Unsplash photo by Mike Doherty
The waters of Baja California host more marine life than almost anywhere else in the world, over a vast region, and the whales consider Cabo San Lucas at the bottom of the Baja Peninsula to be the perfect environment for nurturing newborns. The whales that visit Cabo San Lucas come from the eastern North Pacific, including Oregon and Washington, or in the case of some breeds, all the way from the Arctic waters of northern Alaska and Russia.
During this time, the whales migrate south to the area to breed and feed, and they can often be seen in large pods, making for a spectacular sight.
Tour Options for Spotting Whales in Baja
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful excursion to observe the majestic humpback, gray, and blue whales, or a thrilling adventure with up-close encounters with these majestic creatures, there’s a whale watching tour for you in Cabo San Lucas. Whether you choose a guided tour or plan your own excursion, whale watching in Cabo is an unforgettable experience.
The first thing to note is that there are different boat options, from inflatable zodiacs to more traditional catamarans, so noting your preference will help narrow down the abundance of options when searching to book. Another thing is your group preference, whether you don’t mind being grouped with other guests, or you’d rather have a private experience for your traveling group or pair.
Of course, the variation in boat type and privacy will drastically change the price range. Bigger boats with more amenities and private tours will result in pricier options, but the popularity of this activity allows prime customization options, allowing you to pick from all sorts of offers. There are loads of different tours and companies available, but we’ve compiled 4 popular options of varying price points.
Cabo Private Whale Spotting Tour
If you’re looking for a private, intimate option, at 500$ you can book a 2-and-a-half-hour personal tour. Marine biologist-led and complete with a scenic stroll by some of Cabo’s best sights, this whale watching experience is top of the line. See more info here.
Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Experience
From Cabo Adventures at 119$ per person is the Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Experience. This experience takes place on a double-decker catamaran boat, set with drinks and appetizers.
Here, you can see the whales up close, learn more about them, listen through the on-board hydrophone, and overall, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Reserve your spot here.
Whale Watching Catamaran Experience
This other catamaran experience is priced at 85$ per person, which includes cruising by famous landmarks as well as whale watching. This is a simple, straightforward option if you’re just interested in seeing the whales in their glory.
Zodiac Adventure Tour
Here’s an example of what a zodiac experience is like if you want to be right on the water. This 79$-per-person inflatable boat tour sticks to small groups of 10 or less, complete with a marine guide, free photos, and a hydrophone. Although this option is less glamorous than the catamarans, the smaller, faster boat gives the opportunity for more range and closer contact with the whales.
Booking Whale Watching Tours
Unsplash photo by Jorge Vasconez
It’s definitely important to book whale watching tours far in advance, with companies that are in current operation. There has been a surprising number of cuts to boat permits this year, and many companies have been waiting for the green light from the federal ministry.
Since many locals rely on the industry to support the economy and their families, this is a possibly detrimental revelation, and also creates a tighter industry, therefore less available tours. If you go through Viator or GetYourGuide (see below) you’ll at least know that the tours are definitely running. Otherwise, book it with your hotel tour desk since they’ll be able to check by phone.
Other tips to keep in mind, bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera, and anything else you may need to stay comfortable on your excursion. (It’s unlikely you’ll be close enough to capture a good photo with your phone, so bring a real camera with a zoom lens or buddy up with someone who will share pics.) Listen to your guide to maximize safety and be respectful of the whales and their habitat while on the tour.
Of course, always be prepared for the possibility of not spotting any whales, but some tour companies offer rescheduling options upon this outcome. Again though, this is rare in January and February. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the experience!
See tour options and prices here. Or click on any of these other best whale watching tours in Cabo San Lucas:
Where Else to See Whales in Baja
As we noted in this earlier post on seeing baby whales in Baja, if you head north from Los Cabos there are two spots in the same state that are like nursery areas for gray whales. The mothers and fathers migrate south to these calm waters to mate, then to spawn, then to give the babies a bit of time to grow up and learn. When the child whales are ready for the long swim back to the Arctic waters, they head north, usually around May.
Before that, after the males have already left, you can catch the mothers and babies being surprisingly social in two spots: Magdalena Bay and San Ignacio Lagoon. The latter is more remote and harder to get to, but has the advantage of some semi-permanent camps on the shore.
Magdalena Bay is better for those who want to feel like real adventurers and who want the chance of spotting whales swimming by in the morning: you camp on a barrier island and can sometimes watch whales while eating breakfast!
Another great spot to see whales from shore is in Loreto, a popular spot for vacation home owners and retirees that has its own airport. The first time I visited there on a Baja adventure tour, I checked into my room, walked out to the beach, and watched a humpback whale swimming along parallel to my walk. It was close enough that I could have kayaked out to it. The next day we went out puttering around in a motorboat and I caught this photo of a whale’s fin with the mountains behind it.
Sometimes you can see a blue whale in Loreto if you’re lucky, the biggest creatures on the planet. We weren’t so fortunate, but if you hang around for a while at the right time of year, maybe going on a kayaking tour around the uninhabited islands, or on an Uncruise Baja trip, you’ll better your chances.
In fact, one of the best ways to see whales in different habitats in the Sea of Cortez is to join them away from shore. If you’re on some kind of small-ship tour, you’ll be able to get into the hidden coves and shores with no people on them, less noisy places where the whales are more likely to congregate.
Here’s a view I got from the deck of an Uncruise ship near San Jose del Cabo:
The best place to swim with whale sharks is La Paz, not far off the shore where you can sign up for an excursion to go snorkel alongside them in a regulated environment. Whale sharks are not whales though: they are giant fish. Unlike most sharks though, they don’t bite: they eat tiny sea creatures and plankton through their giant mouths.
Have you managed to enjoy the Cabo San Lucas whale watching season in Baja? Tell us how it went in the comments!
Text by Alina Leffel, photos by Timothy Scott except where indicated. This post may contain affiliate links, which earn the publisher a small commission from bookings. Prices will be the same as if booked direct.Â
